Messages distinct in state Senate race

Just under 200 people attended a forum for the 22nd District State Senate race between State Sen. Joe Hune and candidate Shari Pollesch, who are seated at the table in the foreground. The event was moderated by Daily Press & Argus managing editor Mike Malott and Jim Cronk of Voter's Voice.(Photo: GILLIS BENEDICT/DAILY PRESS & ARGUS)Buy Photo

State Senate candidates Shari Pollesch and Joe Hune each hear clear messages from from voters as they cross the Livingston County-based 22nd District.

But Democratic challenger Pollesch and Republican incumbent Hune hear two distinctly different messages.

For Pollesch, it's a twin message - there's a rising number of Democrats in the bedrock Republican county and people of various political stripes are concerned about what they see as an out-of-touch incumbent and GOP legislative majority.

"Demographics might indicate one thing, but what I'm finding is there are a lot more Democrats (in Livingston County) than people may believe," Pollesch said.

Credible candidates, she said, are what's needed to bring them to the polls.

With Pollesch, a Brighton attorney, and - for the first time - candidates in every other contested race, the county party has taken steps to make sure there are no walk-overs this election season.

Regardless of party affiliation, she said "people are telling me that Joe Hune is more concerned about special interests than their interests."

Not surprisingly, Hune is hearing a different message.

It's one of gratitude that he and his fellow Republicans took decisive action over the last four years to stop Michigan's long economic slide.

More needs to be done, he said, including overhauling the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, but Michigan has gotten away from "picking winners and losers" and toward making the state more accommodating for all businesses.

Hune calls any charge that he's out of touch with constituents or their needs, "nonesense."

"We're out all the time, not jus during election season," he said.

There are sharp, and predictable, differences of opinion between all down the line from employer opt-outs on medical care - Michigan's so-called "abortion tax" which Pollesch says she'd work to overturn - to the need for a minimum wage increase.

Pollesch said workers need more than the $8.15 per hour increase approved by the Legislature. Hune didn't even support that increase.

Pollesch says it's time Legislators own up to the fact it can't be dome without a some kind of tax increase.

"They've had four years to find the money anywhere else and they haven't," she said.

While not backing a specific proposal, Pollesch wouldn't favor hiking the current gas tax or vehicle registration fees.

"The gas tax affects those who drive the most and that's the poor or people who have lost their jobs and now have to travel miles for another job," she said.

An income tax increase on those with the highest incomes, would be more fair, she said.

For Hune, though, any tax increase would be unfair and counterproductive.

Re-prioritizing current state spending, he said, is the best answer.

"The money is there, we just have to find it," he said.

The race also includes Libertarian Party candidate Jeff Wood.

One area where Hune holds a big advantage is in his campaign war chest.

According to the most recent figures on file with the Michigan Secretary of State office, the incumbent has raised $280,097 this election season and spent $132,091.

Records show Hune has contributed $105,000 of his own money to his campaign organization.

His contributors for the current year include include the Auto Dealers of Michigan PAC, $3,500.

Political Action Committees contributing that much or more in 2013 include those for Michigan Beer and Wine Dealers, $5,250, Brooke Holdings & Jackson, $5,000, the Michigan Association Of Insurance Agents, $4,150.

Pollesch has raised $67,181 and spent thus far and spent $19,344 according to her campaign's most recently filed report.

Her major contributor is the Livingston County Democratic Party which has given $3,000 to the campaign.